Dart Secures Multiple Approvals for H135 Crosstubes

Dart Aerospace is expanding its landing gear product portfolio, securing approvals in recent months from Transport Canada, the FAA, and EASA for its Airbus EC/H135 replacement crosstubes.

“This achievement represents a key milestone for DART’s landing gear portfolio. The development presented significant design, manufacturing, and certification challenges,” said David Shepherd, Dart Aerospace vice president of certification, noting the part marks Dart’s first foray into larger thin-wall aluminum tubes used on Airbus helicopter landing gear. “It definitely increases our capabilities to take on more complex landing gear program development in the future.”

Shreveport, Louisiana air medical operation and completion center Metro Aviation took delivery of the initial Dart H135 crosstubes. Metro Aviation further worked with Dart during the development phase, and managing director Milton Geltz said the company is “excited to have an alternate source for these types of products.”

The crosstubes are corrosion resistant, made from improved high-strength aluminum alloy and protected by a high-performance primer and paint for offshore operations, Dart said. The company is offering the standard low size and mid-height that is suited for helicopters requiring extra ground clearance, such as for utility operations. They are designed to be compatible with Dart’s Round-I-Beam skid tubes and OEM-related parts such as saddles, skid tubes, access steps, and ground-handling wheels. The Mid-Height model further is compatible with Dart and OEM floats, Dart said.